Razorbacks host Tennessee Sunday

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas women’s basketball team continues Southeastern Conference action hosting No. 6/7 Tennessee in Bud Walton Arena Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The game is televised by ESPNU with Sam Gore and Caroline Peck calling the action. “We’re excited to get back on the court and test ourselves against one of the best teams in the country,” Razorback head coach Tom Collen said. “We started out with arguably the toughest part of the SEC schedule and we knew we might get knocked down. We talked about that. The key for our success is to get back up. We’ve had some really good practices and I think we are ready to go.” Arkansas comes into the game with an 11-3 record and an 0-2 mark in the SEC after suffering losses at No. 15/9 Georgia and at No. 11/7 Kentucky. Tennessee is 11-3 overall and 2-0 in the SEC with wins at Auburn and against Georgia. Although Tennessee is a national powerhouse and will through a lot at Arkansas, the Razorbacks’ biggest challenge may be what they when we have the ball. Arkansas has played great defense and done a good job forcing opponent turnovers and holding opponents to about 52 points per game. The Razorbacks, however, have at times struggled to make open shots and with just two players averaging double figures, points have been hard to come by. “We are working hard in practice to get extra shots and work on finishing plays,” Collen said. “We are confident that our shots are going to fall.” Despite those struggles, Arkansas has managed to get off to a good start and had opportunities to win both of its first two SEC games. Senior C’eira Ricketts and junior Sarah Watkins were both in double-digits against Georgia and senior Ashley Daniels tied her career-best with 22 points at Kentucky leading three players in double figures. “We have gotten good balance,” Collen noted. “If one player is having an off shooting night, someone else is capable of stepping up.” Arkansas returns to the road next week traveling to Ole Miss Jan. 12. Collen’s Razorbacks picked up the program’s first-ever win in Oxford, Miss., last year. The season continues with back-to-back home games with Auburn, Jan. 15 and Vanderbilt Jan. 19. The first 1000 fans to the Tennessee game will receive a complimentary food and drink voucher to be redeemed at the concession stands in Bud Walton Arena. This voucher entitles the holder to a choice of a Petit Jean hotdog or large popcorn and a souvenir fountain drink. The voucher must be redeemed at this game only.